CVE-2023-50890
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to escalate privileges in WordPress sites using the Ultimate Addons for Elementor plugin. Attackers can gain administrative access without proper authorization, affecting all WordPress installations with vulnerable plugin versions.
💻 Affected Systems
- Brainstorm Force Ultimate Addons for Elementor
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete site takeover where attackers gain full administrative control, can install backdoors, modify content, steal data, or use the site for further attacks.
Likely Case
Attackers gain administrative access to compromise the WordPress site, potentially defacing pages, injecting malicious code, or accessing sensitive data.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper access controls, monitoring, and network segmentation preventing lateral movement from compromised sites.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires some level of access to the WordPress site, but privilege escalation mechanisms are typically straightforward once initial access is obtained.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.36.21 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Ultimate Addons for Elementor. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 1.36.21+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the Ultimate Addons for Elementor plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate ultimate-elementor
Restrict admin access
allImplement IP whitelisting for WordPress admin area
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls and monitoring for WordPress admin functions
- Isolate affected WordPress instances from critical internal networks
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Ultimate Addons for Elementor version. If version is 1.36.20 or earlier, vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get ultimate-elementor --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm plugin version is 1.36.21 or later in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual admin user creation/modification
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful admin access
- Plugin file modifications
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from WordPress server
- Traffic patterns suggesting site defacement or data exfiltration
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND (event="user_role_changed" OR event="plugin_updated") AND plugin="ultimate-elementor"🔗 References
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/ultimate-elementor/wordpress-ultimate-addons-for-elementor-plugin-1-36-20-privilege-escalation-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/ultimate-elementor/wordpress-ultimate-addons-for-elementor-plugin-1-36-20-privilege-escalation-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
